Rugged, practical and reliable, the Dacia Duster could be summed up as providing everything you need in a compact SUV, with nothing you don't. This gives the Duster a uniquely honest, unpretentious appeal, which makes it a great leasing choice if you’re looking for an incredibly affordable yet dependable family car.
Great value for money.
Spacious interior.
4x4 version is genuinely capable off-road.
Practicality is where the Duster excels. Its 445 litres of boot space is comfortably larger than a typical family hatchback and compares favourably to a lot of other SUVs. There’s room for a family of 4 to go on holiday with a suitcase each, and enough leftover for the beach balls.
Fold the rear seats and this expands to 1623 litres. That’s more than twice what you’d get in a Suzuki Vitara, and comfortably more than the MG ZS, although still fractionally less than you’d find in the Tardis-like Skoda Karoq.
The Duster’s running costs are lower than average for an SUV. Fuel economy is good across the range, with the mid-spec TCe 130 petrol engine returning a claimed 42.8mpg, while the Blue DCi 115 diesel boasts an impressively economical 57.7mpg. On a more fundamental level, the Dacia’s lease rates are also very competitive, which means you get a lot of car for the money.
For those looking to reduce fuel bills further, the bi-fuel TCe 100 engine is an interesting proposition. This can run on normal petrol or on liquified petroleum gas (LPG). The latter isn’t as widely available as petrol or diesel, but it’s substantially cheaper and can be filled up in much the same way at a conventional filling station.
On paper, the Duster’s closest rival is the MG ZS. They both trade strongly on value and practicality, with near-identical luggage capacities. The MG is somewhat sharper to drive, with more precision to the steering and less body roll. However, the Duster is quieter and more comfortable, plus some will prefer its more rugged image.
Elsewhere, the Volkswagen T-Cross brings an impressive degree of maturity to the small SUV segment. It offers a classy interior with plenty of space – especially in the back – and a comfortable, relaxing drive. The closely-related Skoda Karoq and SEAT Arona follow a similar template, with the SEAT slightly sportier to drive, while the Skoda is even more practical.
The Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur are slightly smaller than the Duster, but they’re both eye-catching designs with a good level of standard equipment. And if you’re looking for a compact SUV with a 4-wheel-drive option, the Suzuki Vitara and the Jeep Renegade are also worth considering.
The Dacia Duster has a good reputation for reliability. It finished in the top 10 of the small car reliability survey carried out by What Car? in 2020.
At 445 litres, the Duster’s boot is among the largest in its class.
There are 4 main trim specs available for the Duster, however, most of the lease deals focus on the upper-end Comfort and Prestige models.
The Comfort and Prestige models within the Duster range come with parking sensors.
The Dacia Duster is a very practical car, with a good amount of cabin storage and a large boot. The rear seats fold down to give one of the largest total luggage volumes in the class.
To paraphrase a certain DIY brand, the Duster does exactly what it says on the tin. Its rugged, uncomplicated styling is a faithful representation of the car that lies beneath – practical, reliable and built to last. All of which makes the Dacia Duster a great choice for those looking to lease a compact, family SUV.
Want to have the best Dacia Duster lease deals? At Vanarama all our deals come with a fantastic price and no hidden fees and you can utilise our free 30-day returns policy if you’re not completely satisfied with your new vehicle.
Take a look at our excellent Trustpilot reviews or get in touch with our friendly team of advisors for more information about leasing a Dacia Duster.
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